Concert to benefit wounded veterans

ALBANY — The second annual SOWEGA Wounded Veterans Guided Hunt benefit concert, set for July 23 at the State Theater in Albany, will be remembered primarily for the cause it supports. For fans of favorite-son local band Highway 55, however, the benefit will offer a different, more bittersweet, memory.

Along with the Ryan West Band and Anne Cline, rising alt country stars Highway 55 will perform one last show before calling it a career.

Proceeds from the concert go to sponsor a weekend of cost-free hunting for wounded veterans.

“Highway 55 formed in 2010,” said lead singer and rhythm guitarist Cody Smith. “We have played some really great shows together and spent a lot of time on the road, sometimes as long as 60 days at a stretch, but this will actually be our last show. I’ve been trying to decide when the best time was to do the last Highway 55 show, because I’m doing a solo career now, going out as Cody James. I told the guys this is a big event and it’s for a great cause.

“I think it could help draw a better crowd if this is the last time that people are going to see Highway 55. There is not another show that we will play together.”

According to Smith, the band is parting on good terms, but life events, responsibilities, marriages, etc. have prevented some members from being able to tour, which led the singer to the decision to pursue a solo career with a new band.

The July 23 event is sponsored by Backwoods Outdoors, located at 1486 U.S. Highway 19 South in Leesburg, which will provide guns, apparel and many other amenities to facilitate the hunt.

“This is a newly founded project, this is only our second year,” said Doug Griffin, part owner of Backwoods Outdoors. “This is a wounded veterans benefit, it is not associated with the Wounded Warriors organization. The money we raise will allow these guys to enjoy a weekend of hunting. It is a way for them to de-stress, enjoy nature, enjoy some camaraderie and it gives us, the civilians, a chance to get to know these guys so we can understand what they face on a daily basis. Most of the time, the civilian world takes (the things they deal with) for granted. It is a way of giving back to these guys that protect the freedoms that we all enjoy.”

“They don’t get to keep the guns, but if they need any type of clothing or camouflage, we provide that and they get to keep it. Our main goal is for it be a 100 percent total expense-free weekend, including covering travel expenses for some of them that have to drive from out of town, to outfitting expenses if they don’t have the proper equipment or they need boots, etc. That’s our goal; 100 percent cost-free. Last year we did a great job with what we had to offer, but we want it to be even better this year. We are hoping to double the number of veterans participating, and we are hoping that the concert will really help raise some funds to help make this thing happen.”

According to Lane Rosen, manager of the State Theater, doors open at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and the concert starts at 8 p.m. The event is limited to fans 18 years and older. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 the day of the show. VIP tickets are available for $100 (must be 21 years old) and include drinks and a table up front.

Local solo artist Anne Cline will take the stage first with her angst-ridden and sultry sound. Local country rockets the Ryan West Band are expected to liven things up before headliner, Highway 55, best known for their song “Little White Lines,” takes the stage together one last time.

“These guys are the real deal,” said Rosen. “They put on a hell of a show.”

Tickets are available at Backwoods Outdoors, the State Theatre and the Maebrey Market.